The Top 4 Days Out in Houston

Looking for that something special to do when you take a trip to Houston – well here we are going to preview four of the top rated attractions for a family day out which will help you plan your trip and show you what is on offer.

Houston Space Center

The Houston Space Center is repeatedly ranked as the top tourist and visitor attraction in Houston.  The Center allows visitors to get to grips with what it is really like to become an astronaut and where else are you likely to get firsthand knowledge and advice from a real live astronaut?

The exhibits are usually interactive and hands-on and will appeal to all ages but children in particular are going to be engaged all day in what is a very interesting and highly educational learning experience.  You can learn about the very early origins of rocket development, the NASA Space Program which first put men into space and then on the Moon and is now a key component of the International Space Station.  You can also see what tomorrow has in store with the preparations and training for manned missions to Mars.

The Battle of San Jacinto Battleground and Museum

Texas was not always a part of the United States, it actually belonged to Mexico who sought to reassert their rights against settlers in what had become known as the Runaway Scrape territory in what is now modern Texas.  Santa Anna invaded the territory and sought to remove settlers and impose Mexican direct rule on the territory but a revolutionary army of Texans was formed under General Sam Houston who eventually defeated the Mexican army decisively at the Battle of San Jacinto resulting in the capture of Santa Anna and the annexation of Texas by the United States and paving the way for westward expansion of the US to the Pacific shores.

The battlefield site also includes the Battleship Texas floating museum which is formed by the last of the dreadnoughts, The Texas and is also the very first floating museum made from a decommissioned US military warship.

The Houston Museum District

Houston is a vibrant and very fast growing metropolis and has been since it was first formed as a planned city in 1837.  With the abundant wealth that has been produced and the multi-cultural population that has been attracted to this great city has come a huge interest in the arts, history and appreciation of culture generally with the patrons to support the activities.  Houston is one of the world’s global cities precisely because of its standing in cultural terms and has an international reputation for art and natural sciences and not just oil and cowboys.

There are 18 museums comprising the district and more than 11 are completely free the entire year.

American Cowboy Museum

The American Cowboy Museum is based on a ranch at Alameda on the outskirts of Houston and here you can spend a day or longer learning the ropes as a cowboy.  There are plenty of activities to get involved with and all of the family can enjoy a thoroughly enjoyable (and tiring) day out in the open countryside exploring the rich heritage and traditions of Texan cowboys.

The Best Six Days Out in Houston

Houston is one of the largest cities in the United States and you are not going to be able to take everything in one trip which is why so many people probably keep coming back again and again.

Here we give you our top ten pick of the best attractions Houston has to offer for visitors so you can shortlist which you want to see while you are enjoying your vacation.

The Houston Space Center

Explore the beginnings of space exploration from the first successful rocket launches by Robert Goddard through to the preparations for sending manned missions to Mars.  Here you can talk to a real live astronaut, experience weightlessness and try your hand at landing the Space Shuttle after a mission to the International Space Station and you can also get to touch a real moon rock brought back to earth by one of the Apollo missions.

Open throughout the year with extended hours during the summer and some holidays but you should contact the Center to determine when an astronaut will be visiting and available.

Lake Houston Park

5,000 acres of urban wilderness is located about 30 miles to the north of downtown Houston.  Overnight camping is permitted and there are numerous cabins and campsites available for hire with a whole host of outdoor activities available including hiking, horse riding, kayaking and canoeing and biking.  This is a wilderness so expect to find some of Texas’ native species including snakes.

San Jacinto Memorial and Museum

In March 1836, Texas was under Mexican rule until General Sam Houston and his revolutionaries threw off Mexican rule and decided the issue at the Battle of San Jacinto. The museum is a testament to the memory of those original Texans who established the frontier with Mexico in a bloody war that opened the West to the United States as well as leading to creation of the Lone Star State.

The Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo has a huge array of animal exhibits with over 4,500 animals and many endangered species kept as part of a global conservation effort.  With so many animals to feed the Houston Zoo comprises a small town of staff who are involved in looking after animals, research and breeding programs and providing a key contribution to the preservation and reintroduction into the wild of many species that would be extinct but the global efforts to save them.  One day is not enough for this venue so arrive early to get the most out of your visit.

The Battleship Texas

The battleship Texas became the first battleship museum in the United States in 1948 and is anchored in Buffalo Bayou within the Houston Ship Channel.  The Texas is the last dreadnought and is ideally located within the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site minutes from downtown Houston and the beaches of Galveston for a perfect day out.

Traders Village

The largest flea and outdoor market in Texas has something for everyone with children’s’ entertainers and rides, bargains galore, great food and lots of things to do no matter what age you are.  Enjoy Texas size burgers along with turkey legs and walk it all off with over 100 acres of shopping opportunities from 5,000 traders.  The market is open every weekend throughout the year.